Designed and engineered to be America’s high-performance police vehicle, the new 2012 Dodge Charger V-6 and V-8 models set new levels of performance — including the fastest lap time ever recorded (1:33.70) — at Michigan State Police’s (MSP) annual Police Vehicle Evaluation tests earlier this week at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Mich.

“Achieving the fastest-ever lap time at the Michigan State Police’s annual Police Vehicle Evaluation test reflects the mission of the Dodge Charger Pursuit Team to equip our law enforcement officials with the absolute best combination of vehicle performance and tactical equipment,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development and Fleet, Chrysler Group LLC. “Even more impressive is that all four Michigan State Police Vehicle Test Team drivers averaged their fastest times in the Charger Pursuit – reinforcing the driver confidence provided when world-class acceleration, braking, handling and dynamics are combined.”

In addition to the 370 horsepower and world-class performance and precision of the Dodge Charger Pursuit V-8 model, the 292 horsepower Charger Pursuit V-6 models held their own around Grattan Raceway, averaging the fastest times for naturally aspirated (1:37.71) and E-85 capable (1:37.57) six-cylinder police cars.

Rapid acceleration is also critical to quickly catching up to target vehicles, and the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit V-8 leads the police sedan segment with the fastest 0-to-60 to 0-to-100 mph times.